Yelwata massacre: Ill-health stalls trial of suspected terrorists 

 

… suspect collapses in court

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The trial of the suspected terrorists, who allegedly attacked Yelwata Community in Benue state, Tuesday, stalled as a result of the sudden collapse of one of the suspects.

The federal government is prosecuting the nine suspected terrorists over the attack which took place on June 13, 2025, that had about 150 persons killed.

According to the prosecution, the offence is contrary to Section 26(2)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under the same Act, among other counts.

When the matter was called, counsel to the prosecution and the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN told the court that, the matter was slated for trial within trial.

However, he told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that, he was informed by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service that, the third defendant who came to court by himself developed serious health issues while in court.

He said, the federal government is not persecuting the defendants but being prosecuted over their alleged involvement in the killings in Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue state.

According to the DPPF, the defendant must be well to face his trial in court.

Ahmed Mohammad, Counsel to the third defendant, who collapsed in court told the trial judge that, even though his client came to court by himself, his health condition got worse leading to his collapse in court.

He asked the court for an adjournment to enable the defendant get medication at any hospital in Abuja.

Counsel to the first defendant, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN did not object to the request for adjournment by counsel to the third defendant on humanitarian ground.

Oyedepo did not also object to the application for adjournment to enable the third defendant get treatment at the medical facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Consequently, the judge adjourned the matter till March 30 and 31, 2026 for continuation of trial and ordered that hearing notices should be served on the defendants.

The defendants who were arraigned on a 57-count amended charge bordering on alleged terrorism offences, had pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

They were alleged to have carried out the terrorism attack on June 13, 2025, on Yelwata town where many houses were burnt and about 150 people massacred, while others sustained various degree of injuries.

The nine suspects, who were arraigned, include Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sale Mohammed and Bako Jibrin.

In count one of the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/471/2025, the defendants and others still at large were alleged to have, sometime between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State, knowingly and directly participated in meetings in connection with the commission of an act of terrorism.

They were said to have planned the attack on Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue, and subsequently carried it out June 13, 2025, resulting in the burning of houses, grievous bodily harm, and the death of approximately 150 persons.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under the same section.

In count 25, Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono (1st defendant) was alleged to have, between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State, “instigated and instructed other Ardos and all Fulani youths in Nasarawa State, Kwara State, Taraba State, Giza, and other surrounding villages to carry out attack on Yelwata Community” on June 13, 2025, where at least 150 persons died.